But, people across the country are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

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Vietnam vets didn't come home to parades or other kinds of celebrations.

Instead many of them were met with disdain and protests.

“It is long overdue and hardly enough. That we say ‘thank you’ that we sign a proclamation,” said Gov. Matt Bevin.

More than one third of the 331,000 military veterans in the Commonwealth served in Vietnam.

Jack Mattingly of Harrodsburg was in the Marine Corps during the war.

Burgin asks, “What was it like coming back with no parades, no recognition?” WLKY reporter Steve Burgin asked.

“First off, we were scared, cause people were spitting on us, cursing as us,” retired U.S. Marine Jack Mattingly said.

Vets traveled to Frankfort Wednesday from a nursing home in Wilmore.

Orville Satterly of Louisville, who served in the Air Force, called his welcome home, “sad.” So did Army vet Carey Christie of Rineyville. The back of Christie’s jacket says it all, “The Forgotten Generation.”

He said he tried to stay anonymous.

“You hid your pride because everybody was mad at you for doing what our country asks us to do,” Christie said.

On the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War Wednesday, the sacrifices and service are being recognized.